Spring-wheel.



' w. I. lKIJMLBALL.

SPRING WHEEL. i A@Pmrfnmil FILED mii: 1.91909.

' j Pater-ined Feb. 421, 19,11.

WITNESSES Wheels, and more particularly those for automobilcs, and similar machines.

The principal object is to `provide a sim ple, novel and practical .structure in which the Wheel itself is made yielding, as distinguished from a yielding tire, so that the shocks andjars are'properly absorbed, While more permanent tires can be employed than is now possible.

.Two embodiments are disclosed in the accompanying` dravvings, Wherein- F1gure -1 is a side elevation of one form of Wheel. Fig. 2 is 4a longitudinal sectional View on an enlarged scale, 'through one of the spokes, and its connection with the hub Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a slightly modified forni of construction, show ing a different arrangementot the spoke-s.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the gures of the drawings.

In the embodiment disclosed, a hubs. is employed that is provided With a plurality of outstanding curved heads .f3-.having circular sockets 6 therein and slots 7 that communicate with the sockets. A rim 8 of any desired character surrounds the hub, and is provided on its -inner side with curved heads 9 having circular sockets 9a and slots 9" that communicate with the sockets. In the einbodiinent ,disclosed in Fig. 1, the rim is sup* ported from and connected tothe huh byV radially disposed spokes 10, While in Fig. tangentially disposed spokes 10a are employed. Inasmuch as these spokes are all exactly the same, and 'perform the same function irrespective of their radial or-tangential arrangement, a description of one is believed to be suflicient for all, and the details of'one of'said spokes is illustrated in Fig. 2. Each spoke, as shown, consists of sections 11 and 12 that have terminal4 circular ears 13 located respectively in the sockets 9 and 6, and being pivoted therein, as shown at 14. The said spoke sections ex tend through'the slots4 7 and .9", and said siiiamegwnniiri,

specificaties fof Lettessfratef'ii i Apiillic'atiio'n' i'led fune 1, l

19.09;"t ser mais slots are coveredby curved caps 15 carried by the sections and fitting snugly against the outer surfaces of the heads 5' and 9..

lThese caps are maintained in position by suitable nuts 16.

disposed socket 18 located at the inner end of the cup. The other section 12, has its outer end located in the cup, and is providedv with a terminal stem 19 that reciprocates in the socket 18. The inner end of said cup is preferably provided with alboss 20, forming a circular seat 21 for the inner end of a coiled spring 22 that is located in the cup and surrounds the portion of the spoke sec tion 12 that. is arranged therein. An abut ment sleeve 28slidable upon the section 12, fits in the outer end of the cup 17, and bears against the outer end of the spring 22. This sleeve is maintained inV position by jam nuts 24. l

The operation ot the structure is substantially as follows. As 4the vehicle moves along, the jolts or shocks imparted to the Wheel Will be absorbed by the vertical spokes, While those-that are disposed-in a horizontal or inclined position, will rotate on their fromthe spirit o'r sacrificing any ot the ail-,

vantages of the 1nvent1on.

Having thus fully described 'my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z* 1. In a Wheel, the combination with. a hub and a rim, 'of-yieldingly extensible spokes, said hub and rim` having oi'set heads provided With circularsockets, the ends of the A A sorge will temeraria er It Will thus be evident l that dust is excluded from the bearings 85 pivots, thus permitting the necessary move- I l spokes -Ih-aawing- Circular: ears-that are 'pivoted" in the sockets,.and caps seouredtothe spokes' and slidablle u (inthe'hoede 4 '2'. y I n a whee he combmatln with a. hub., 5 and afin; surroundjn 'the hub, said rim and hub'beng provided wlth circular heads havingfcircular socket?. therein,.fyie1ding1yex spokes having terminal .ears .thatf are vpivoted in the sockets, curved "oa`s,'

'mounted' on 4thespokes a'n'xslidable longitumma .dinolly thereon, said caps being el'nlabile upon' the heads! and'nuts threaded on the'y spokesv and-berlng against the caps.

. In testimony whereof 'I hereunto ax my signature in the presence'oftwo witnesses. 15 

